What Does a Wind Mitigation Inspector Look for in Florida?

If you own a home in Central Florida, you have likely heard that a wind mitigation inspection can lower your homeowners insurance premium. But what exactly does an inspector examine, and why do those specific items matter to your insurance carrier?

Understanding the process helps you prepare your home, set realistic expectations, and make smart upgrades before you schedule an inspection. At Simplispect, we perform wind mitigation inspections throughout Orlando and Central Florida and walk every homeowner through exactly what we find. Here is a detailed look at the seven major areas a wind mitigation inspector evaluates.

1. Building Code: When Was Your Home Built?

The first item on every Florida wind mitigation report — the OIR-B1-1802 form required by state law — is the year your home was built. Homes constructed after the Florida Building Code was substantially strengthened in 2002 (and particularly after the 2004 hurricane season) are generally built to higher wind-resistance standards.

Homes built after 2001 automatically qualify for certain credits. Pre-2002 homes can still receive credits for individual features, but they do not start from the same baseline advantage. Your inspector will note the permit date, not just the address history, to confirm which code cycle applied.

2. Roof Covering: What Material Is on Your Roof?

The type of roofing material and how recently it was installed both matter. Florida insurance carriers credit roofs that meet current Florida Building Code wind resistance standards. This includes asphalt shingles rated to a specific wind speed (typically 130 mph or higher), metal roofing, and concrete or clay tile installed with approved attachment methods.

An inspector will verify the roof covering through direct observation and may ask for permit or installation documentation. If your roof was replaced within the last decade, having that paperwork ready can speed up the process. Older or non-compliant roof coverings — such as three-tab shingles installed under an older code — may not qualify for a covering credit, even if the roof looks fine from the street.

3. Roof Deck Attachment: How Is the Plywood Fastened?

One of the most important factors in wind mitigation is how securely the plywood or OSB roof deck is nailed to the trusses or rafters underneath. In high winds, the deck is the first structural layer between the storm and your attic.

Inspectors typically access your attic and look at the nail pattern and nail type used on the deck. The rating system ranges from A (6d nails at 6 inches on center — older and lower-rated) up to C (8d nails at 6 inches — higher-rated and more common in post-2001 construction). Higher-rated attachments earn larger insurance credits. If your home was built before 2002, there is a reasonable chance your deck attachment does not qualify for the highest tier, but every point of credit still saves money.

4. Roof-to-Wall Connection: Are the Trusses Strapped?

This item evaluates how the roof structure connects to the walls of your home. In older Florida homes, toe-nailing — driving nails at an angle through the truss into the wall plate — was common. It is the weakest type of connection and earns the lowest credit.

Hurricane straps, clips, and single or double wraps are progressively stronger connections that earn progressively larger insurance credits. An inspector will look in the attic at each truss-to-wall connection point and count the type of hardware used. Homes built after the 2002 code generally have clips or wraps; many pre-2002 homes were retrofitted after 2004 and 2005. If you had hurricane straps added and you have not had a wind mitigation inspection since then, the inspection will capture that improvement.

5. Roof Shape: Hip Roof vs. Gable Roof

Roof geometry has a significant impact on wind performance and insurance credits. A hip roof — where all four sides slope down to the eaves — is aerodynamically superior to a gable roof. The hip shape does not have flat vertical walls at the ends to catch wind load. For that reason, hip roofs earn the single largest wind mitigation credit available on the Florida form.

A gable roof — with triangular ends called gable ends — is more common and less aerodynamically favorable. Gable ends can become sails in high winds if not properly braced. Mixed roof shapes (part hip, part gable) receive a partial credit. Your inspector will measure the roof geometry from the exterior to determine how much of the perimeter qualifies as hip.

If your home has a gable roof with a soffit vent, your inspector may also note whether gable-end bracing was installed. This is a retrofit that some homeowners add specifically to improve wind resistance, but it is not formally captured on the state form — it is more of a general safety note.

6. Opening Protection: Windows, Doors, and Garage Doors

One of the highest-value areas on the wind mitigation form is opening protection — whether your windows, entry doors, and garage doors can withstand wind-driven debris. Florida insurance carriers divide this into three tiers:

• No protection / basic: Standard single-pane or double-pane windows and hollow-core or non-rated doors. No hurricane shutters. This earns no credit.
• Hurricane shutters (panel, accordion, roll-down, or plywood): Installed over all exterior openings including the garage. Earns a moderate credit.
• Impact-resistant glazing (impact windows and doors): All exterior openings — including the garage door — are impact-rated to Florida Product Approval standards. Earns the highest opening protection credit and is often the single biggest driver of insurance savings.

The key word in that last tier is all. A home with impact windows but a standard garage door does not qualify for the top opening protection credit. Your inspector will review every exterior opening, including any skylights, to confirm the protection level. Have your Florida Product Approval numbers ready for impact windows and doors if you have them — your installer should have provided a certificate.

7. Secondary Water Resistance (SWR): Does Your Roof Have a Sealed Deck?

Secondary water resistance (SWR) refers to a peel-and-stick self-adhering membrane applied directly to the roof deck before shingles are installed. If your roof covering is lost in a storm, the SWR layer helps prevent water from entering the home while repairs are made.

This is primarily found on roofs installed after the 2002 building code, though it can also be found on older roofs that were replaced to code. An inspector will look in the attic for visual evidence of the membrane between the deck and the roof structure. SWR earns a meaningful credit and is automatically required on newer construction in many Florida counties.

What Happens After the Inspection?

Your inspector will complete the OIR-B1-1802 form with photographs and submit or provide it to you for delivery to your insurance carrier. The insurance company then applies whatever credits your home qualifies for based on the form results.

Credits are stacked — the more items your home qualifies for, the greater the total discount. Some Central Florida homeowners see premium reductions of $300 to $1,200 or more annually. The inspection itself typically costs $75 to $150, meaning it pays for itself within the first year in most cases.

Reports are valid for five years. If you replace your roof, install impact windows, add hurricane straps, or make any other wind-resistive improvement, it is worth scheduling a new inspection immediately to capture the upgrade — you do not have to wait for the current report to expire.

Schedule Your Wind Mitigation Inspection in Central Florida

Simplispect performs wind mitigation inspections throughout Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Lake Nona, Clermont, Davenport, and surrounding communities. Our licensed inspectors know the Florida OIR form inside and out and take the time to explain every item with you.

Ready to see what your home qualifies for? Book your inspection online or call us at (407) 908-3845. You can also reach Jesse directly at jesse@simplispect.com. For more home inspection resources, visit our blog.